Push-pull type leg exercising device

ABSTRACT

A novel muscle toning apparatus which includes a pair of displaceable platforms coupled together by a resilient means which enables the respective platforms to be alternately extended apart a predetermined distance and drawn back together into abutting relationship. The platforms are suitably configured so as to support an adult user having one foot placed on either platform with the toes pointing at substantially right angles to the other platform, and the direction of separation. The wheels or rollers attached to the bottom of the platforms rollingly engage the supporting floor surface, and are oriented so as to allow the platforms to be displaced only in the directions to and away from each other.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Ralph M. Kelmon, Jr.

2135 Columbia St., Palo Alto, Calif. 94306; Ralph M Kelmon, 213 South St., Reading, Mass. 01867 [21 Appl. No, 825,630 [22] Filed May 19,1969 [45] Patented June 15, 1971 (s41 ru'su rutt'rvrn'wo sx'sncrsmo DEVICE 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

52 us. C1 272/82 [51] Int. Cl. A63b 23/04 [50] Field of Search 272/82, 79, 83, 80, 57 B, 70, 67; 35/29, 29 C, 29 D, 29 E; 124/30 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 430,808 6/1890 Naish 272/70 1,909,190 5/1933 Sachs 272/70 2,455,274 11/1948 Scriver 35/29(R) 2,700,317 1/1955 Lilienfeld 124/30(A)UX Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney-Harvey G. Lowhurst ABSTRACT: A novel muscle toning apparatus which includes a pair of displaceable platforms coupled together by a resilient means which enables the respective platforms to be altemately extended apart a predetermined distance and drawn back together into abutting relationship. The platforms are suitably configured so as to support an adult user having one foot placed on either platform with the toes pointing at substantially right angles to the other platform, and the direction of separation. The wheels or rollers attached to the bottom of the platforms rollingly engage the supporting floor surface, and are oriented so as to allow the platforms to be displaced only in the directions to and away from each other.

PATENTED JUN 1 51971 INVENTORS RALPH M.KELMON, JRQ RALPH M. KELMON ATTORNEY PUSH-PULL TYPE LEG EXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to physical fitness apparatus and, more particularly, to a novel muscle toning device for use in restoring the slim youthful appearance to the upper portion of the legs of the user.

One of the most troublesome figure problems which women typically experience is the buildup of fatty tissue on the outer side of the thighs sometimes referred to as the secretarial spread. The major reason for this buildup of tissue is the insufficient use of the aductor and abductor muscles which lie on either side of the upper thigh portion of the legs. Most men do not have this problem because they generally take longer steps than women and usually amble in walking so as to step out onto the outside of the foot and then rock to the inside during the stride. Because of their manner of walking, the side muscles of most men do experience a certain degree of use. Women, on the other hand, tend to walk in straight lines and take very short steps because that is considered to be the feminine way of walking. As a result, the lateral leg muscles get very little use and fatty deposits typically form around these muscles.

It is well known that fatty tissue surrounding muscles can be reduced by the repetitious use of those muscles. Since both muscle and fatty tissue demand certain amounts of blood for respiration, and muscle tissues when being utilized require more than their ordinary share of the available quantity of blood supplied to a given bodily area, use of the muscles tend to kill off the fat cells by usurping a portion of their blood supply. Therefore, increased utilization of those muscles about which fatty tissue has formed will tend to destroy the fatty tissues and tone up the muscles in that area and as a result, correct the imbalance of tissues and produce a much shaplier figure.

One way in which these aductor and abductor muscles can be utilized for toning purposes is to stretch the muscles by causing the legs to be alternately spread and drawn together in the lateral direction. Heretofore, no suitable exercising or muscle toning device has been provided which is designed to accommodate this type of movement and one must rely on exercises such as those commonly known as jumping jacks," or the like, in order to distend the aductor and abductor muscles in order to tone up the side portions of the upper legs.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel muscle toning apparatus the use of which causes the aductor and abductor muscles to be alternately distended and retracted using the body weight as the only muscle loading mass.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus for use in toning certain body tissue areas of the user by permitting an isokinetic distention and retraction of the muscles in those areas.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel muscle toning apparatus including a vehicle for either foot of the user which enables him to extend apart and withdraw together his legs in the lateral direction while in a generally upright standing position.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a novel muscle toning apparatus is provided which includes a pair of displaceable platforms coupled together by a resilient means which enables the respective platforms to be alternately extended apart a predetermined distance and drawn back together into abutting relationship. The platforms are suitably configured so as to support an adult user having one foot placed on either platform with the toes pointing at substantially right angles to the other platform and the direction of 2 separation. The wheels or rollers attached to the bottom of the platforms rollingly engage the supporting floor surface and are oriented so as to allow the platforms to be displaced only in the directions to and away from each other.

One of the principal advantages of the present invention is that it is simple in construction, easy to use, and has certain built-in safety features as will be pointed out below. The device as described is completely stable and safe for use by any healthy adult when used in the intended manner.

Still other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled-in the art after having read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are illustrated in the several figures of the drawing.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an illustration of the manner in which the apparatus of the present invention is intended to be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified form of a muscle toning apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

F IG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates still another alternate embodiment of the device in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Turning now to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. I an adult female using a preferred embodiment of the muscle toning apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus includes a pair of generally rectangular platforms l0 and 12, which are mounted on a plurality of wheels or rollers, and which are resiliently coupled together by two elastic members 16. The elastic members 16, as will be described below, include means for limiting the distance S over which the platforms 10 and 12 may be separated and are sufficiently contractable so as to allow the platforms l0 and 12 to be brought into abutting relationship without interferring with the closure as the legs are drawn together. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a suitable maximum distance S has been found to be approximately 36 inches from the center of platform 10 to the center of platform 12.

In FIG. 2 a simplified embodiment of the present invention is shown in somewhat more detail and is seen to include the rectangular platforms I0 and 12 which may, for example, be comprised of l2-inch square sections of wood, plastic, fiberboard, or any other suitable material rigid enough to support the weight of the intended user. Affixed to the bottom of the boards 10 and 12 at each corner is a roller 14 which, although free rolling, preferably offers some resistance to rolling when loaded (as opposed to being of the ball bearing frictionless" type) so as to reduce the risk that the platforms might accidentally slip out from under the user during the mounting or demounting of the device.

The elastic members 16 are preferably separated from each other by a distance of at least 8 inches so as to resist any twisting action which may be imparted to the platforms by the users feet. The members 16 must also be capable of allowing the platforms l0 and 12 to be separated to a predetermined distance using primarily the body weight of the user as the driving force. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the elastic members 16 are formed out of 3/16 -inch nylonwrapped shock cord and have a cut length of approximately 24 inches.

Each end of the respective members 16 is extended through a guide means 18, which may be formed from a large staple, or the like, and is tied or looped around and end-fixing means 20 which may likewise be formed of a staple, or the like. Where the platforms l0 and 12 are fashioned from 12-inch square stock and the elastic members 16 have a cut length of approximately 24 inches, and are attached as illustrated, it will be noted that the unstretched length will require that the platforms be positioned side-by-side in near abutting relationship.

Using shock cord which includes a nylon braid wrapped about a plurality of strands of elastic material, the platforms 10 and 12 can be separated by a center-to-center distance of approximately 48 inches before the stretch is terminated due to the built-in characteristics of the cord. Cord of this type is made so that the elastic inner material provides the resilient characteristic while the braided nylon overwrap limits the length of extension. Thus, in addition to providing some elastic resistance to the parting movement of the platforms l and 12 caused by the user in using the device, the shock cord also serves as a separational limiting means which prevents falling and/or possible injury to the user which might otherwise result from excessive spreading of the legs. In addition, once the maximum separation is reached the elastic portion of the member 16 provides a certain amount of closing force to the platforms and 12 tending to balance the force of the users weight so as to aid the user in drawing his legs and the platforms back together.

In using this device it will be noted that after an initial parting force is exerted to the platforms l0 and 12 by the legs, the weight of the user provides a substantial amount of the force required to separate the platforms in the lateral direction. And in closing, the elastic member tends to counter the need for the user to raise up his own weight in order to bring the legs together. Therefore, this device is more properly classified as a muscle toning apparatus rather than an exercise apparatus since the forces applied to the muscles are more isokinetic in nature rather than being of the dynamic tension-type character embodied in most exercising apparatus.

Returning again to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 3 an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the platform 22 is formed of a somewhat thicker piece of material and the wheels or rollers 24 are partially recessed and mounted in wells 26 to provide a more streamlined appearance for the device. In this embodiment, the elastic members 28 are extended through bores 30 which extend substantially all the way across the platform 22 to intersect the fastening wells 32 including tie down means 34 to which the elastic members 28 may be secured.

In FIG. 4 of the drawing, still another alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated which may be made in a molded configuration from plastic, pressboard, etc. In this embodiment, the body portion 40 is round, or oval, in shape and includes a shallow recessed portion 42 for receiving the ends of the elastic members 44 which are looped around staples 46, or are affixed to the platform using other suitable end fastening means.

In this embodiment an adjustable clip means 48 is provided for allowing length adjustment of the elastic members so that the overall stretch S can be chosen to suit the particular user. In molding the platform 40, suitable recesses 50 are provided for receiving rollers 52 which may be of any suitable type mounted in accordance with well-known roller suspension principles.

Although only a few of the many possible variations of the device are illustrated in the drawing and described above, it is contemplated that many other modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, one might use in place of the shock cord, a spring-loaded reel and cable means to accomplish the desired ends discussed above. Similarly, it may be found more advantageous in certain applications to use elongated rollers rather than the wheel-type device illustrated.

In still another modification, one might use foot receiving platforms which more nearly conform to the shape of the users foot. Moreover, the tops of the platform may be covered with some type of nonskid material, a soft or resilient material such as a fibrous furlike, or ruglike material, or other functional or decorative materials which might be used for various reasons.

In addition to the utility of the present invention as a means for toning the inner and outer thigh portions to the legs as recited above, it is contemplated that some users might also, find other uses of the device. One such use might be to rotate the feet relative to each board so that the feet lie in a common line with the toes pointed in the same direction. With the feet in this position, the forwardmost leg is thrust forwardly, and the rearmost leg thrust backwardly with the head up, chest out and shoulders back. The feet are then drawn together, and this scissors action repeated several times. The position of the legs can then be interchanged relative to the platforms, and the scissors action again repetitiously carried out. This particular use of the device may be utilized to firm up the calves, the front and the rear portions of the thighs, the stomach muscles, the chin line, etc.

The device may also be used to tone the waistline and strengthen the back muscles by placing the knees on one board and the hands on another board while faced in various directions, and then extending the arms as far as possible in alternately separating and drawing together the platforms.

Still another use of the device is to tone up the upper arms, bustline, neck and shoulders. This may be accomplished by kneeling in front of the device, placing one hand on each plat form with the head directly abovethe device, and then slowly extending the arms outwardly and then back together.

Yet another use of the device is to firm up the stomach, legs and back by sitting on one platform and placing the feet on the other, and then alternately extending and retracting the legs so as to separate and draw together the platforms repetitively. Although the muscle toning operations performed using this device are not meant to replace exercise, this type of muscle toning will tend to replace fatty tissues with long, lean, firm tissues which help to improve the bodily appearance.

While the above-detailed description has shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to particular structures, it will be understood that various modifications and changes in form and details of the device illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore my intention that the intended claims be interpreted as including all such modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim is:

1. Muscle toning apparatus for use in developing the upper legs comprising:

first and second platforms each being large enough to support the foot of an intended user, and roller means affixed to the lower surface of said first and second platforms for supporting only said platforms and the user above a flat surface in lateral displaceable translational relationship thereover, said roller means consisting of rollers that directly engage a flat surface that supports the platforms and the user, said roller means being so constructed as to constrain any relative lateral displacement of said platforms only along a single straight line direction of lateral translational movement of said platforms, and

resilient means connecting said first and second platforms and positioning said platforms adjacent each other so as to permit said platforms to be rollably displaced laterally away from each other along said single straight line direction of movement under the force of the legs of the user opposed by the force necessary for expanding said resilient means and then rollably returned back toward each other under the force of the legs of the user aided by the force available from contracting said resilient means, said resilient means being free and unsupported between the platforms when said resilient means is under tension.

2. Muscle toning apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said resilient means is expandable only a predetermined amount, said predetermined amount being selected so as to limit the separation of said platforms to less than a selected distance.

3. Muscle toning apparatus as recited in claim 2 in which said first and said second platforms include, guide means disposed adjacent to facing sides of each of said platforms, and fastening means disposed outwardly of each of said guide means, and wherein said resilient means is comprised of a pair of elastic elements which are threaded through said guide resilient meansconnecting said first and second platform means and have their ends secured to said fastening means. and positioning said platforms adjacent one another, said 4. Muscle toning apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein resilient means being free and unsupported between the each elastic elemen i rm Ofa Shock Cord platforms when said resilient means is under tension, said A muscle toning apparatus COmPTiSmEZ 5 resilient means including limit means to limit platform a first rollable platform means, movement of said first platseparating to a predetermined distance form means being unrfisfl'ained y applied lateral fomes 6. Muscle toning apparatus as recited in claim 5 in which to any of its sides, said first platform means including roller means attached only to the bottom thereof for displaceably supporting said first platform and a user above 10 a flat surface;

second rollable platform means, movement of said second platform means being unrestrained by applied lateral forces to any of its sides, said second platform means including roller means attached only to the bottom thereof for displaceably supporting said second platform and a user above a flat surface; and

each platform further includes, guide means disposed on facing sides of each of said platforms, and fastening means disposed outwardly of said guide means, and wherein said resilient means is comprised of at least one elastic member threaded through said guide means and having its ends secured to said fastening means,

7 Muscle toning apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said elastic element is formed of a shock cord. 

1. Muscle toning apparatus for use in developing the upper legs comprising: first and second platforms each being large enough to support the foot of an intended user, and roller means affixed to the lower surface of said first and second platforms for supporting only said platforms and the user above a flat surface in lateral displaceable translational relationship thereover, said roller means consisting of rollers that directly engage a flat surface that supports the platforms and the user, said roller means being so constructed as to constrain any relative lateral displacement of said platforms only along a single straight line direction of lateral translational movement of said platforms, and resilient means connecting said first and second platforms and positioning said platforms adjacent each other so as to permit said platforms to be rollably displaced laterally away from each other along said single straight line direction of movement under the force of the legs of the user opposed by the force necessary for expanding said resilient means and then rollably returned back toward each other under the force of the legs of the user aided by the force available from contracting said resilient means, said resilient means being free and unsupported between the platforms when said resilient means is under tension.
 2. Muscle toning apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said resilient means is expandable only a predetermined amount, said predetermined amount being selected so as to limit the separation of said platforms to less than a selected distance.
 3. Muscle toning apparatus as recited in claim 2 in which said first and said second platforms include, guide means disposed adjacent to facing sides of each of said platforms, and fastening means disposed outwardly of each of said guide means, and wherein said resilient means is comprised of a pair of elastic elements which are threaded through said guide means and have their ends secured to said fastening means.
 4. Muscle toning apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein each elastic element is formed of a shock cord.
 5. A muscle toning apparatus comprising: a first rollable platform means, movement of said first platform means being unrestrained by applied lateral forces to any of its sides, said first platform means including roller means attached only to the bottom thereof for displaceably supporting said first platform and a user above a flat surface; second rollable platform means, movement of said second platform means being unrestrained by applied lateral forces to any of its sides, said second platform means including roller means attached only to the bottom thereof for displaceably supporting said second platform and a user above a flat surface; and resilient means connecting said first and second platform and positioning said platforms adjacent one another, said resilient means being free and unsupported between the platforms when said resilient means is under tension, said resilient means including limit means to limit platform separating to a predetermined distance.
 6. Muscle toning apparatus as recited in claim 5 in which each platform further includes, guide means disposed on facing sides of each of said platforms, and fastening means disposed outwardly of said guide means, and wherein said resilient means is comprised of at least one elastic member threaded through said guide means and having its ends secured to said fastening means.
 7. Muscle toning apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said elastic element is formed of a shock cord. 